10 Unromantic Romantic Gestures That Show He Really Loves You

The big gestures are great, don’t get me wrong, but more often the little things in a relationship are more meaningful (and easier on the wallet). After all, flowers and expensive chocolates might be the stuff of movies, but real love sometimes looks a whole lot more regular.

  1. He listens and remembers things about you. Often, when a woman talks, the man assumes she has nothing interesting to say. He’ll say he wants to know about you and about your day but then tunes you out when you talk. If you have a partner who can remember what project you’re working on or what your favorite movie is, you know he’s trying and that’s all you ask.
  2. He pampers you when it’s shark week. Most times, mean treat you like you’re the creature from the blue lagoon when you shed your uterine lining once a month, so when you find the one that gets you a heating pad and your fave candy bar when you’re “in the red,” then you know he’s a keeper. It’s even more impressive when he even offers to buy the necessities without being embarrassed.
  3. You come home to a hot bubble bath. You’ve had a terrible day at work and you’re absolutely exhausted and over it. Imagine that your beloved boyfriend has set up a luxurious bubble bath complete with candles, your favorite unwinding music, and a glass of your favorite wine. Then he leaves you alone to luxuriate. While you may not be spending the time together, it’s such a gesture shows he cares and understands your needs.
  4. He goes to see that movie he doesn’t like with you. We’ve all seen the eye roll and heard the scoffing when we suggest another movie starring Katherine Heigl or Mila Kunis, so when he agrees to sit through the latest rom-com with you, he’s doing it because he wants to make an effort, which is the most romantic thing of all. This can apply to any of your hobbies and interests in general. Even though he’s not into it, he’s into you, so he decides to join in.
  5. He comes to see you at work. Something as simple as coming to have lunch with you, especially when you’re having a rough day, is a very sweet and simple gesture. Bonus points if he brings you your favorite meal. Of course, when you’re super busy with meetings and a stack of work on your desk that needs to be done by the end of the day, he wouldn’t dream of pulling a Ross and showing up uninvited.
  6. He stocks his fridge with some of your favorite foods. In ensuring his place has all your essentials, your S.O. is indicating that he wants you around and that he’s paid attention to what you like. Also, he’s thought of you while shopping for said items. Who knew grocery shopping could be so romantic?
  7. He does something nice for your family. Whether he takes your mom out to lunch or plays Call of Duty with your little brother, he’s showing that those who are important to you are also important to him. Even though you aren’t really a part of this particular gesture, it’s still incredibly sweet.
  8. He does a chore for you. Even doing little things like taking out the trash or something bigger like washing her car is romantic. You probably don’t need him to do these things, but sometimes it’s nice not to have to do everything yourself. Most women are used to asking their partners a hundred times just to do something as simple as changing a lightbulb, so it’s nice when you don’t have to even ask. It shows you that he’s committed to an equal partnership where both parties contribute to the household.
  9. He celebrates your successes. Maybe he takes you out to celebrate your promotion or brings home your favorite wine for a toast. When he’s truly happy for your wins, he shows you that he understands that this is important to you and that he listens when you speak. He also proves that he won’t hold you back from improving yourself.  Others could blow you off, stand in your way, get jealous that you succeeded and he didn’t, or just treat it like it’s insignificant, but those you need to snip out of your life ASAP.
  10. He reminisces with you often. Nothing sounds better than sitting on the couch in your PJs talking about all the special moments you’ve shared. You don’t need a fancy candlelit dinner or expensive long-stemmed roses; just a simple sort of intimacy can be even more romantic. Besides, anything you can do without having to strap yourself into a bra is already a win. I don’t know about you, but this is the romance that I would choose any day of the week.
Ginnifer Bronstein is a freelance writer from New York. She enjoys writing about relationships, entertainment, and fiction. Her goal in life is to travel the world and be an accomplished writer, but she'll settle for stopping and smelling the roses.
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